FROM lifting the Scottish Cup at Hampden to not knowing if the club you’ve won it with will exist for much longer.

Welcome to life as a Hearts player. It’s hardly surprising that when Tynecastle winger Andy Driver is asked to sum up 2012 in three words, all he can think of is “up and down”. And that’s the understatement of the decade.

It was a roller-coaster ride that gave Driver the highest highs and lowest lows of his career so far.

With the Jambos still in a precarious financial state the 25-year-old knows deep down his future lies away from Gorgie.

But having experienced just about everything in a maroon shirt – having signed for the club at 13 – he will leave with a heavy heart.

Driver is adamant the Jambos have turned the boy into a man.

And whatever he goes on to achieve, the trials and tribulations at Tynie – which included not receiving his wages on time – will have made him a better person.

And that’s why – despite all the injury problems – Driver has no regrets about being part of the capital club for the last 12 years.

In an exclusive MailSport interview, the winger said: “It has been crazy. From winning the Cup, to not getting paid and the threat of the club going under.

“It was like the biggest high one minute and a lowest low the next.

“Overall it has been a terrific place to play football. There have definitely been ups and downs but, as a person, I’ve had to grow up quickly.

“Things have happened which haven’t been ideal but going through all that makes you a man. You can’t have a career full of good experiences and I’ve enjoyed it here.

“If I leave I certainly won’t have bad memories. I’ve probably changed a lot in the last few years.

“When I was young I was a bit naive and didn’t deal with certain situations too well. But the whole team would say they’ve grown up and learned a lot this season.

“This experience will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

Just four years ago, Driver was the name on everyone’s lips within Scottish football. After bursting on to the scene the winger attracted six-figure bids from the likes of Burnley and Coventry City.

There was even talk of Chelsea being interested and he sparked an international tug of war between Scotland and England.

But Driver then endured a two-year injury hell that he regards as the worst moment in his career.

Now, fully fit again and playing under John McGlynn, he believes he has rediscovered the kind of form that had the whole of the UK talking about him.

He said: “The lowest point for me wasn’t the problem with wages or anything like that. It was the injuries I had for almost two years.

“The money thing, you can deal with. But when you’re putting so much into getting back fit – and not getting much back – that’s tough.

“I felt my career was being held back. The worst moment was when I came back from a knee injury and tore my thigh in my first reserve game. To do all the rehab then break down again – I was at my lowest ebb.

“I was a young player who had been out for two years and was missing out on so much.

“I was missing out on the chance to better myself as a player and further my career.

“I lost a lot during that period but now it has made me appreciate the fact I’m still playing football. I’ve been though a bad time but, touch wood, that’s me over it.

“I don’t have any regrets. I’ve never been the type to look back and think: ‘What if?’ A lot of people were talking about how I could have got a big move a few years ago.

“It’s good to know I was appreciated back then and doing well. But it has just given me the desire to show people I can still play at that level and have a good career.

“All that matters now is getting the best out of my career.

“People used to talk about me as the next big thing and I feel I can get to that point again. There were times when I did doubt myself last year but more recently I’ve felt much better about myself and my form.”

Driver is out of contract in the summer and, as one of Hearts’ top earners, will be allowed to leave either in this transfer window or on a free at the end of the season.

He knows he’s probably playing for a contract elsewhere but that won’t stop him giving his all for the club he has grown to love.

The Oldham-born star said: “I’ll have to sit down with the club and see what the situation is.

“The most important thing is that Hearts are still going and are in good condition for the future.

“Whatever needs to happen will happen. All the boys know this. We’re trying our best for the club on the pitch but at the back of our minds we’re trying to play well for the sake of our own futures as well.

“I’m a real Hearts fan now and wherever I go I hope they do well.

“If I leave it will be with a heavy heart and it will be a sad day.

“Wherever I end up I’ll think I’m representing Hearts because that’s where I started. They are the club who gave me a chance.”